Story of Te Aupouri iwi told in traditional carving at Te Ahu

Far North Mayor John Carter speaks at the unveiling of Te Aupouri's poupou at Te Ahu. Photo / Don Hammond

The sixth in a series of seven traditional carvings illustrating the stories and traditions of the people of the Far North has been unveiled in a ceremony at Kaitaia's Te Ahu Centre.

The poupou were commissioned by the Te Ahu Charitable Trust as centrepieces for the community hub and council service centre opened in 2012.

The latest to be unveiled represents the people of Te Aupouri iwi and was carved under the direction of master carver Duncan Kapa of Te Kao.

Already installed are poupou from Te Rarawa, Ngati Kuri, Ngai Takoto, the Dalmatian and Pakeha communities.

Work on the final poupou, representing Ngati Kahu, is expected to start in the next few months.

Trust chairman Mike Mitcalfe said the trust wanted people to think of Te Ahu as a community facility rather than simply a service centre: "I see it as a marae for all the people of the north. The stories demonstrated in the poupou might be a past and current reflection of the histories of the people of Te Hiku, but Te Ahu is also about looking to the future."

The messages conveyed in the carvings were about unity in diversity, in keeping with the Te Ahu concept.

"It's been quite a journey to get to this point, but it's very satisfying to see it all coming together."

The poupou was unveiled on October 17.